INSERT FOR CONTAINER ASSEMBLY

1 - 6 . (canceled)

7 . A method of assembling an assembled insert from an insert flat, wherein the insert is configured to secure at least a first bottle having a bottom and a neck, the method comprising the steps of:

obtaining the insert flat, wherein the insert flat includes a main panel, an upper retainer portion and a lower retainer portion, wherein the upper retainer portion includes a first panel connected to the main panel, a second panel connected to the first panel, a third panel connected to the second panel, a fourth panel connected to the third panel, a fifth panel connected to the fourth panel, and a sixth panel connected to the fifth panel, wherein a first neck retaining slot is defined in the first and second panels of the upper retainer portion, wherein a second neck retaining slot is defined in the fifth and sixth panels of the upper retainer portion, wherein the lower retainer portion includes a first panel connected to the main panel, a second panel connected to the first panel, and a third panel connected to the second panel, wherein a first bottle bottom opening is defined in the first panel of the lower retainer portion,

forming the upper retainer portion, wherein forming the upper retainer portion includes

folding the first panel approximately 90 degrees upwardly from the main panel,

folding the second panel away from the main panel and approximately 90 degrees with respect to the first panel,

folding the third panel downwardly from the second panel and approximately 90 degrees with respect to the second panel,

folding the fourth panel toward the main panel and approximately 90 degrees with respect to the third panel,

folding the fifth panel upwardly and approximately 90 degrees with respect to the fourth panel, such that the fifth panel is adjacent the first panel, and

folding the sixth panel approximately 90 degrees with respect to the fifth panel, such that the sixth panel is adjacent the second panel, wherein the first neck retaining slot and second retaining slot cooperate to define a neck retaining tunnel,

forming the lower retainer portion, wherein forming the lower retainer portion includes

folding the first panel at an angle of between approximately 10 degrees and approximately 80 degrees upwardly from the main panel,

folding the second panel with respect to the first panel and away from the main panel such that the second panel is approximately parallel with the main panel, and

folding the third panel downwardly from the second panel and approximately 90 degrees with respect to the second panel.

8 . The method of claim 7 wherein the first panel of the upper retainer portion includes a tab extending therefrom, wherein the fifth panel of the upper retainer portion includes a channel defined therein, and wherein the method further includes inserting the tab into the channel to secure the upper retainer portion in an assembly position.

9 . The method of claim 7 wherein the lower retainer portion includes a fourth panel connected to the third panel, a fifth panel connected to the fourth panel, and a sixth panel pivotaby connected to the fifth panel, wherein the method includes the steps of folding the fourth panel toward the main panel and approximately 90 degrees with respect to the third panel, folding the fifth panel upwardly such that the fifth panel is adjacent the first panel, and folding the sixth panel such that the sixth panel is adjacent the second panel.

10 . The method of claim 9 wherein the first panel of the lower retainer portion includes a tab extending therefrom, wherein the fifth panel of the upper retainer portion includes a channel defined therein, and wherein the method further includes inserting the tab into the channel to secure the lower retainer portion in an assembly position.

11 . The method of claim 9 wherein a second bottle bottom opening is defined in the fifth panel of the lower retainer portion, and wherein the first bottle bottom opening is aligned with the second bottle bottom opening when the lower retainer portion is in the assembly position.

12 . The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of inserting the assembled insert into an outer box that includes a top and a securing portion, pivoting the securing portion from a non-securing position to a securing position, such that a neck slot defined in the securing position is aligned with the neck retaining tunnel, and pivoting the top to a closed position, wherein the top is positioned above the securing portion.

13 . An insert flat that is configured to be formed into an insert for securing at least a first bottle having a bottom and a neck, the insert flat comprising:

a main panel,

an upper retainer portion that is movable with respect to the main panel between an unassembled position and an assembled position, wherein the upper retainer portion includes a first panel connected to the main panel, a second panel connected to the first panel, a third panel connected to the second panel, a fourth panel connected to the third panel, a fifth panel connected to the fourth panel, and a sixth panel connected to the fifth panel, wherein a first neck retaining slot is defined in the first and second panels of the upper retainer portion, wherein a second neck retaining slot is defined in the fifth and sixth panels of the upper retainer portion, wherein in the assembled position, the first neck retaining slot and second neck retaining slot cooperate to define a neck retaining tunnel, and

a lower retainer portion that is movable with respect to the main panel between an unassembled position and an assembled position, wherein the lower retainer portion includes a first panel connected to the main panel, a second panel connected to the first panel, a third panel connected to the second panel, and a fourth panel connected to the third panel, wherein a first bottle bottom opening is defined in the first panel of the lower retainer portion.

14 . The method of claim 13 wherein the first panel of the upper retainer portion includes a tab extending therefrom, wherein the fifth panel of the upper retainer portion includes a channel defined therein, and wherein the tab is configured to be inserted into the channel to secure the upper retainer portion in the assembly position.

15 . The method of claim 13 wherein the lower retainer portion includes a fifth panel connected to the fourth panel, and a sixth panel connected to the fifth panel, wherein the first panel of the lower retainer portion includes a tab extending therefrom, wherein the fifth panel of the upper retainer portion includes a channel defined therein, and wherein the tab is configured to be inserted into the channel to secure the lower retainer portion in the assembly position.

16 . An insert configured to secure at least a first bottle having a bottom and a neck, the insert comprising:

a main panel,

an upper retainer portion having a first panel connected to the main panel, a second panel connected to the first panel, a third panel connected to the second panel, a fourth panel connected to the third panel, a fifth panel connected to the fourth panel, and a sixth panel connected to the fifth panel, wherein a first neck retaining slot is defined in the first and second panels of the upper retainer portion, wherein a second neck retaining slot is defined in the fifth and sixth panels of the upper retainer portion, and wherein the first neck retaining slot is aligned with the second neck retaining slot to define a neck retaining tunnel, wherein the neck retaining tunnel is configured to receive the neck of the bottle,

a lower retainer portion having a bottom retaining opening defined therein, wherein the bottom retaining opening is configured to receive the bottom of the bottle, and

wherein the main panel extends between the upper and lower retainer portions.

17 . The insert of claim 16 wherein the lower retainer portion includes a first panel connected to the main panel, a second panel connected to the first panel, a third panel connected to the second panel, and a fourth panel connected to the third panel, wherein a first bottle bottom opening is defined in the first panel of the lower retainer portion.

18 . The insert of claim 16 wherein the first panel of the upper retainer portion includes a tab extending therefrom, wherein the fifth panel of the upper retainer portion includes a channel defined therein, and wherein the tab is received in the channel to secure the upper retainer portion.

19 . The insert of claim 16 wherein the lower retainer portion includes a fifth panel connected to the fourth panel, and a sixth panel connected to the fifth panel, wherein the first panel of the lower retainer portion includes a tab extending therefrom, wherein the fifth panel of the lower retainer portion includes a channel defined therein, and wherein the tab is received in the channel to secure the lower retainer.

20 . The insert of claim 16 wherein the lower retainer portion includes a fifth panel connected to the fourth panel, a sixth panel connected to the fifth panel, and a seventh panel connected to the sixth panel, and wherein the seventh panel is positioned adjacent the third panel, whereby a bottle extending through the first bottle bottom opening rests against the seventh panel.